Ilaka: AP in alliance talks with Alao-Akala, not PDP

Former Accord Party (AP) senatorial candidate in Oyo North District Chief Oyebisi Ilaka spoke on the Ajimobi Administration, prospects of AP and proposed alliance bewteen the party and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). EMMANUEL OLADESU was there.

What is the future of Accord Party in Oyo State?

The future of the Accord Party in the state is bright. Since the birth of the party, we have been playing the role of the opposition. Before we came, it has always been the two horse race between the PDP and the ACN, now the APC. We have tried both parties in the states and they have not actually brought succour to our people. We represent the new order, in terms of political philosophy. If you are well aware, you will notice that the party was brought to the state, shortly before the 2011 election. Literarily, it was about three months to the election. Since then, the party has been waxing stronger and on monthly basis, we have been having people defecting to the party. And the trend will continue because we really believe that as they come, they will reap the benefit of their inclusion.

Some people have a lot of reservations about the leadership style of the AP National Leader, Senator Rashidi Ladoja. What is your view?

When he got elected in 2003,the challenge he had then was the distinction between the party and government. the issues he had with Baba Adedibu and former President Olusegun Obasanjo really stopped him from delivering on what he set out to deliver, but in the state today, people still reminisce on what he did. They remember then, that classrooms were not as overcrowded as we have now, it was then 30 students per class, civil servants were well treated, there were job creation, industries were sited in the state and there was a coherence philosophy and ideology, which was articulated to all and sundry. Even beyond that, I have met some of those people who worked with him then. They described his government as more inclusive, that they discussed issues as they arrived and he did not run a one man government. In a nutshell, his style was not napoleonic. He does not rule as if he is an emperor. For instance, I have to introduce some things into the party which he really appreciated and imbibed. He remains a major innovator and I think this is what we need in the state. In Oyo state, what we need is an agenda for reform. What we have as at now does not fit the challenges of the age we live in.

If the APC makes overtures to the Accord Party for the renewal of the alliance, what will be your reaction?

I think those overtures don’t have any wing to fly. Such a proposition, as far as I am concerned, is dead. We are the only opposition to them in the state and, if we really want a plural society, things should remain as they are now.

We heard that former Governor Ladoja and his erstwhile deputy, former Governor Alao-Akala, have resolved their differences. Does that translate into a romance between Accord and PDP?

No, their differences had been resolved. Not only did they work together as governor and deputy, they had a brotherly relationship. Those issues have been resolved, but on the political front, there are discussions. Consultations are still going on, but they haven’t been finallised. Let me add here that the discussion is between Accord and Alao-Akala and not PDP. Yes, we are in alliance talks with him. We recognised him as a political force in the state, particularly in the Ogbomosho and Oke-Ogun areas. We believed that having contested two elections in the state, he has followership across the state. Ours is a party that seeks to grow organically. So, if, in the path of our growth, we consummate this affinity, I think there is nothing bad in it but we are not in any discussion with PDP.

My assessment is that the government is not coherent and it is strictly disjointed. More so, there is a major disconnection between this administration and the people. But our government in Accord is going to be a government that will have a human face and take into consideration what the electorate wants. We will connect with them at all level. We have also said that our elected officials will live within where they were elected.

This administration constantly feels that its agenda is contract-driven and not people-driven. So, this is where we have major ideological differences. They are talking about urban renewal, but our philosophy is that, until we fix the rural area, until we develop our agricultural sector, until we develop our industrial sector, until we have proper job creating initiatives, which are enduring, not dead end jobs. We understand that jobs will not only give you a way, but help you build and sustain your family. We are not talking about dead end Oyes jobs, where half of the time, they don’t get paid for it. We have a vision. They call us dreamers, but we have a vision of where we want Oyo State to be. We want people to see what our dreams for the state are and show them our pathway.

You have traversed three parties within one year because they refused to give you ticket. What will happen, if Accord equally fails to give you the ticket?

I am in Accord Party for the long run. I left, PDP for the same reason. I and brothers and fellow-travellers left either for the ACN or Accord. I first left for the ACN. Now, I am in the Accord for the long run, for the foreseeable future.

Many have said that Governor Ajimobi has lived up to expectation. Do you believe in this assertion?

The state has a team that is not our third eleven, but a mosquito team. They do not have a plan because, when you have a plan and you get to office, what you have to do is to immediately begin to delegate responsibility. We have heard a lot about that executive council. When somebody said people do not contribute, yes it is true, because they do not want to be shouted at by the chief executive, who knows all. The bulk stops on his table because he chose those who work with him.